Canopy specialist eyes sunnier growth

L Tillicoultry firm has global markets in sights as it ups manufacturing site

to us for advice, but its management team recognised that our connections and support could help it move the business to the next level.

“The current R&D assistance will allow the company to fine tune its new products, while further assistance with exporting will help identify and plan how best to target international markets.”

Contracts completed by 123v include the installation of three canopies at the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas (including one for the hotel’s orchid field), the main entrance canopy at Sterling Furniture in Tillicoultry, and a canopy at the entrance to Royal Berkshire Hospital’s A&E department in Reading.

Marlin, a former double glazing salesman, also said the biggest change the firm has seen over the past ten years is how people buy. “In 2001 online sales accounted for only 5 per cent of our business, now they make up to 90 per cent. The last decade has seen the firm invest over £500,000 with Google on pay-per-click ads and search engine optimisation. ‘Mr and Mrs Jones’ will always be our most important customer and even more so as we look to new markets overseas, and the internet will continue to be the quickest and easiest way to attract their custom.”